Penn Staters encouraged to protect computers against online threats

Penn Staters encouraged to protect computers against online threats

June 28, 2017

UNIVERISTY PARK, Pa. — An extensive new ransomware cyberattack targeting Windows operating systems is disrupting businesses and institutions around the world. The campaign works similarly to the WannaCry attack — which affected hundreds of thousands of computers across the globe in May — by infiltrating companies’ systems and holding their data ransom until they pay a fee.

The Office of Information Security at Penn State has not detected the ransomware, called Petya, within University systems at this time, and is continuing to closely monitor the situation.

To secure Penn State systems, data and people against ransomware and other types of threats, the University employs a wide array of technical solutions, policy and educational efforts. These security measures include proactively performing vulnerability scans and blocking potential attacks at the University’s border.

Although the Petya ransomware campaign has largely targeted hosts in Europe, it is important for Penn State students, faculty and staff to remain vigilant in protecting their personal devices and systems against cyberattacks and other online threats.

How to protect yourself

Look out for phishing attempts: Be vigilant when using email and opening attachments and be suspicious of links in email. For more information on how to identify phishing attempts and to report phishing messages, visit phishing.psu.edu.